Memory - forgetting - interference Flashcards
what is interference
- forgetting because one memory blocks another
- both or one of the memories to be distorted or forgotten
what is proactive interference
- struggle to remember what we have just learnt due to previous learning
- keeping keys in the pocket and hang them up once and cannot find them
what is the research into proactive interference
Underwood (1957)
- participants memorised 10+ lists after 24 hours they only remembered 20%
- learn only one list and remembered 70%
what is retroactive interference
- struggle to remember what we have learn due to new memories
- calling your old psychology teacher your new psychology teachers names
what is the research into retroactive interference
Misra et al (2012)
- participants native language was Chinese and second language English
- named pictures more slowly in Chinese than in English
what are the strengths of interference
Hitch and Baddeley (1977)
- asked rugby players to recall names of teams they played
- some players played all games and some missed some
- those who played the most games had the poorest recall
- shows that interference can impact real life situations and has high external validity
Danher et al (2008)
- found that recall and recognition was impaired when participants were exposed to two brand advertisements in a week
what are the limitations of interference
Low ecological validity
- most research is lab based and artificial situations
- cannot relate to real life
- participants may lack motivation to remember
Individual differences - Kane and Engle (2000)
- some people were less impacted by proactive interference
- those with a greater working memory were less susceptible to proactive interference
Conditions
- two memories have to be similar to interfere
- doesn’t often occur
- forgetting may be an explanation by retrieval failure
